Sleevelength adjustment device



July 24, 1962 H. HOFF 3,045,246

SLEEVELENGTH ADJUSTMENT DEVICE Filed May 1, 1957 IN VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,045,246 SLEEVELENGTH ADJUTMENT DEVICE Herbert Hoff, 190 Underhill Road, South Orange, NJ. Filed May 1, 1957, Ser. No. 656,428 2 Claims. (Ci. 2-269) The present invention relates to an invisible sleevelength adjustment device suitable for use with shirts and similar garments.

Shirts, and particularly sport shirts, are presently manufactured in quantity production using a single standard sleevelength usually 34 inches. Many persons who would normally purchase a 32 or 33 inch sleevelength, if available, are compelled to buy the'longer sleevelength which is the only length available.

The present inventionprovides means for adjustably shortening the sleeve, the device being disposed entirely within the sleeve so that the shortening device is effectively invisible. Moreover, the shortening device acts on the inseam of the sleeve so that the excess fabric appurtenant to the shortened sleeve is located principally along the inseam Where it is inconspicuous. The excess fabric at the outer side of the sleeve forms natural folds or Waves so that it is unnoticeable. The culf position; of course, is correct for the shortened length provided by the adjustment device.

Essentially, the adjustment device comprises a fixed fastening member such as a loop or button, permanently secured to the inseam of the sleeve. An adjustable fastening member is connected between the fixed fastening member and one end of the sleeve, the adjustable fastening member being symmetrically arranged with respect to the inseam of the sleeve.

Various objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent uponreading the following specification together with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a shirt embodying a sleevelength adjustment device in accordance with one form of the invention, one sleeve of the shirt being partly broken away to illustrate details of construction of the ad justment device and the manner in which it is applied to and acts upon the sleeve of the shirt;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the adjustment device shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a shirt designated generally as of which the left sleeve 11 is broken away to illustrate the sleevelength adjustment device. The lower end of the sleeve 11 is provided with a cuff 12 which is held closed by a cufi link 13.

The sleeve 11 is secured to the body portion of the shirt 10 by rows of stitching 14 which form the armhole seam. Extending downwardly from the armhole seam 14 are rows of stitching 15 which form the inseam of the shirt sleeve 11. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixed element of the adjustment device consists of a button 16 secured to the inside of the sleeve 11 at its inseam 15. The adjustable element is formed from a single continuous length of fabric tape 17. The two ends 18 and 19' of the tape 17 are secured to the edge of the armhole, preferably by the rows of stitching 14 which form the armhole seam. However, where the adjustment device is installed in the shirt after its manufacture has been completed, then additional stitching (not shown) may be used to secure the two ends 18 and 19 of the tape 17 to the armhole. Intermediate its ends, two adjacent edges of the tape 17 are secured together by stitching to forma length of double-width tape, the stitching being arranged to define a series of regularly spaced buttonholes 20, 21 and 22. The middle of the tape is upper edge of the cuff 12 and the button 16.

3,045,246 Patented July 24, 1962 ICC folded as indicated at 23 to form a double thickness pointed end thus avoiding any need for cutting the tape 17 to form two individual lengths of tape.

The upper reaches'of the tape 17 between the uppermost buttonhole 22 and the armhole stitching 14 are branched out in a Y-shaped formation which is symmetrically arranged With respect to the inseam stitching 15. With the button 16 free, the sleeve 11 will assume its maximum length. As shown in FIG. 2, the lowermost buttonhole 20 will permit the sleeve 11 to assume its full length but will retain the tape 17 held within the sleeve so that it will not move around freely to the possible annoyance of the wearer. By placing the button 16 in the buttonhole 21, the sleeve will be shortened. The slack thus obtained is disposed between the button 16 and the armhole stitching 14 adjacent to the armpit of the wearer where it is unnoticeable.

WlL'le only three buttonholes 20, 21 and 22 have been shown in the drawing, it will be apparent that a greater number of buttonholes may be provided if it is desired to obtain an increased number of adjustments or a greater range of adjustability, or both. Additionally, it will be apparent that the ends 18 and 19 of the tape 17 may be secured to the seam 24, symmetrically with respect to the inseam stitching 15, at the upper edge of the cult 12 so that the slack in the sleeve will be located between the In any event, the slack in the sleeve 11 will be located principally at the inner side of the sleeve 11. Stresses applied to the shortening device will be transmitted by the button 16 directly to the inseam formed by the stitching 15. The ends 18 and 19 will transmit these stresses directly, either to the armhole at the armhole seam stitching 14, or to the cuff at the cuff stitching 24. a

While I have shown what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention-in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A shirt sleeve adjustment device of the character described, said sleeve being connected to said shirt at an armhole portion thereof by an armhole seam, said sleeve having an inseam extending outwardly from the lowermost portion of said armhole seam, said adjustment de- 'vice comprising a button disposed within the sleeve and secured to said sleeve at a point located along said inseam, and a tape having its ends connected to said armhole seam symmetrically with respect to said inseam, adjacent edge portions of said tape intermediate itsv ends being connected together by stitching to form a length of tape of double width, the end reaches of said tape extending divergently toward said armhole seam, saidstitching being arranged to define a series of buttonholes along said adjacent edges of said tape.

2. A shirt'sleeve adjustment device of the character described, said sleeve being connected to said shirt at an armhole portion thereof by an armhole seam, said sleeve having an inseam extending outwardly from the lowermost portion of said armhole seam, a button disposed within the sleeve and connected thereto at the inner side of the sleeve intermediate the ends thereof at a point located along said inseam, a tape having a series of buttonholes formed therein for selective engagement by said button, said tape being disposed within said sleeve at the inner side thereof, both ends of said tape being connected to said armhole seam symmetrically with respect to said inseam, adjacent edges of a portion of said tape intermediate its ends being connected together by stitching to form a length of tape of double width, the end reaches 3 of said tape extending divergently toward said armhole 823, seam. 1,222,467

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 452,053 461,434 Henry Oct. 20, 1891 22 3 3 808,576 Roberts Dec. 26, 1905 4 Hutchinson June 19, 1906 Rogers Apr. 10, 1917 FOREIGN PATENTS France Feb. 26, 1913 Great Britain Mar. 25, 1920 Finland Apr. 23, 1952 

